Saudi Arabia has announced a new set of localization policies for the tourism sector, designed to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in hospitality, travel, and entertainment-related roles while fostering human capital development and long-term sustainability in one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing industries.
The new framework includes mandatory Saudization targets for specific tourism professions, along with specialized training and qualification programs developed in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Saudi Tourism Authority. These programs aim to enhance the technical and managerial skills of Saudi professionals in the tourism field.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, this initiative aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, which seeks to make tourism a key driver of economic diversification and to create meaningful employment opportunities for Saudi citizens across hospitality, destination management, visitor services, and global event operations.
The move comes amid the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s tourism sector, fueled by major destinations such as Diriyah, AlUla, and The Red Sea, as well as a steady increase in international visitor numbers — highlighting the need for qualified Saudi talent to lead this momentum.
By prioritizing workforce localization, the ministry aims to improve service quality and enhance visitor experiences, investing in human capital and empowering Saudi youth to play a central role in shaping the industry’s future.
This step underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to developing national capabilities and ensuring that Saudi talent remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainable growth in the tourism sector.
